an exceptional item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exceptional item" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to refer to a significant event or transaction that is not part of the regular operations of a business and may affect its financial results. Example: "The company reported an exceptional item this quarter due to the sale of a subsidiary, which significantly impacted its earnings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But the difference between them has been growing again.Although there is no single correct way to calculate the accounting cost of an employee share option, and the FASB's method is a compromise, options are clearly not an exceptional item.

The Economist

A directors' report said the payment to Firoka was an "exceptional item" in the accounts and would not be repeated.

BBC

As a result it had recorded an exceptional item of £186m in the 2018 results which "relates to onerous contracts, tooling write-offs and the acceleration of depreciation and amortisation on associated Trent 900 programme assets".

BBC

"It was an exceptional price for an exceptional item," said Andrew Aldridge, a surveyor at the auction house.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That represented a £6m fall on the previous year's operating profit but should also be seen in the context of one exceptional item, an £8m digital investment.

The Guardian

Danone announced the exceptional item at the end of January.

Forbes

A number of exceptional items also knocked profit, including a $1.8bn write-down on the value of its US Fayetteville shale gas assets, which were bought from Cheakespeake Energy in 2011.

BBC

Revenues jumped nearly 72% to just over £3m but it made a loss after exceptional items of £1.45m.

The Guardian - Business

Analysts polled by Reuters on average expected earnings of 35 cents a share before exceptional items, but including the $1.2 billion charge.

The New York Times

KLM said it earned 4 million euros ($3.77 million), compared with a loss, excluding exceptional items, of 18 million euros ($16.85 million) a year earlier.

The New York Times

GNM, which reported a loss before exceptional items and amortisation of £44.2m for the year to the end of March 2012, now derives just over 28% of total revenues from online operations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an exceptional item" in financial reports, clearly define what constitutes an exceptional item for your specific context to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if it includes restructuring costs, gains from asset sales, or other non-recurring events.

Common error

Avoid classifying routine expenses or revenues as "an exceptional item". This term should be reserved for truly unusual and infrequent events that significantly distort the company's financial performance if included in regular operating results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exceptional item" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to identify a specific type of event or element that deviates from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and context within financial discussions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an exceptional item" is a noun phrase primarily used in financial contexts to denote unusual, one-time events that significantly impact a company's financial performance. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable, although relatively rare in general usage. It is crucial to define this term clearly to avoid confusion with routine expenses. While the sources are predominantly from news and media, understanding its function and purpose allows for accurate and transparent financial reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a special case

Highlights the distinctiveness and particular nature of the situation.

a remarkable element

Replaces "exceptional" with "remarkable" and "item" with "element", focusing on the noteworthy aspect of something.

a noteworthy component

Uses "noteworthy" instead of "exceptional" and "component" instead of "item", emphasizing the importance of a specific part.

an extraordinary detail

Replaces "item" with "detail" to suggest a specific, outstanding aspect.

a singular instance

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the occurrence rather than the nature of the item itself.

a distinctive feature

Emphasizes that it is a particular characteristic or quality that stands out.

an uncommon event

Shifts the focus to the rarity of the event, using "uncommon" to highlight its infrequency.

an atypical occurrence

Suggests that the event deviates from the norm and is not representative.

a significant occurrence

Focuses on the importance and impact of the event.

an isolated incident

Highlights the separation and non-recurring nature of the event.

FAQs

How is "an exceptional item" used in financial reporting?

In financial reporting, "an exceptional item" refers to a one-time or infrequent event that significantly impacts a company's financial statements and is disclosed separately to provide a clearer picture of the company's underlying performance. It is a non-recurring transaction that falls outside of ordinary business activities.

What differentiates "an exceptional item" from a regular business expense?

Unlike regular business expenses, "an exceptional item" is not part of the typical, ongoing operations of a company. It is unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence, such as a major restructuring charge or a gain from the sale of a significant asset.

Are there specific accounting standards governing how to report "an exceptional item"?

Yes, accounting standards like IFRS and GAAP provide guidelines on what qualifies as "an exceptional item" and how it should be disclosed in financial statements. Proper disclosure ensures transparency and helps investors understand the true performance of the company.

What are some "alternatives to exceptional item" in describing unusual business events?

Depending on the context, you could use terms such as "one-time gain", "non-recurring charge", "unusual item", or "significant event" to describe events that are not part of the ordinary course of business.